The Lakers are hopeful that forward Trevor Ariza will be able to make his season debut within the next week or two, says Shams Charania of The Athletic. Ariza has been sidelined for the entire fall as he recovers from ankle surgery, but continues to ramp up his activity. He was expected to participate on Monday in a practice with some members of the South Bay Lakers, as well as Rajon Rondo and Kent Bazemore, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Like Ariza, Lakers guard Kendrick Nunn hasn’t played at all for the team this season due to a bone bruise in his right knee. Sources tell Charania that Los Angeles is optimistic about Nunn returning to the court and making his debut for the club at some point in January.
Here’s more from Charania:
- The Suns and Kings have shown interest in Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis in recent years, per Charania. It’s unclear if either Pacific team will make a run at Sabonis now that he’s rumored to be available, but they could be worth watching. Charania adds that “a slew” of teams are expected to pursue Myles Turner, and the expectation is that Indiana would only move one of its two big men, not both.
- Hawks president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk and other members of Atlanta’s front office will likely sign contract extensions by the 2022 offseason, Charania reports. There have been rumors that other teams may try to lure assistant general manager Landry Fields away from the Hawks, but Fields is trending toward being promoted to GM in Atlanta under Schlenk, according to Charania.
- Charania’s latest Inside Pass column for The Athletic included several other notable tidbits, which we rounded up in a series of stories earlier today.
Cut Ariza. Dude is washed up.
Pacers get Ayton and Smith
Suns get Sabonis and a lottery protected First
Why would Phoenix trade Ayton? Lol. Stop it algorithm…
Westbrook is Lakers biggest trade asset, the rest has no value
It makes more sense to make trade with Warriors, Blazers, Hawks…..
Not really Lakers have THT and Nunn, plus there are some teams that would like to bring Howard in as their backup 5..
THT and Nunn, after he comes back and reestablishes his overall value, those two would likely fetch the Warriors the best returns..
It’s implied that Davis nor LeBronna were even considered, as they’re never getting traded, unless one of them asks for it..
Turner and a first for Wiseman and Kuminga
Perfect for Warriors, Perfect for Pacers
You know where Sabonis makes a lot of sense. Is playing next to KP. He’s perfect there. And would keep KP on court. But I don’t see that happening in Dallas. It would have to be in Indiana.